Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the instrument panel was inoperable. The battery was replaced several times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mileage control circuit had malfunctioned. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The vehicle was being driven at night when suddenly the headlights went out causing the driver to leave the road as he was going thru a turn at the time. Luckily no one was injured and the car only suffered minor damage. It had to be pulled out of the ditch. After the car was driven home less than a mile away, I opened the hood and saw that the fuse box had caught on fire and a portion melted. This also damaged the wiring connected to the fuse box. I am not sure what other components have failed as a result because the vehicle has not been operable since. I am currently trying to get the vehicle repaired and have spent $300 and countless hours on labor so far. This same problem is currently being investigated on 2006 and up Buick Lacrosse's. I would like for the 2005 models to be included in the pending recall. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving various speeds, the headlamps failed to illuminate. The check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. In addition, the battery wire connector caught on fire after the battery was replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
Driving down the road lost low beam headlights as well as day time lights , smelled small burning odor and discovered the headlight control in the fuse panel to be over heating and beginning to burn a hole in the fuse panel under the hood. Have read of this happening to several of these cars with the fuse panel being the direct source due to wires shorting out internally, why is this car not included in the recent recall?
GM sent out a recall for the Buick Lacrosse 2005. The recall was to fix an issue that caused the car to switch off at random while running causing for potential crash and lack of airbags to work and other possible hazards. They recommended that we take any things off of the key ring other than the key when in drive. I had never experienced the issue of my car turning off on its own previous to receiving this recall. Being proactive I took my car to the wilkins GMC Buick dealership located at 6913 ritchie highway, glen burnie, md 21061 in order to have the recall serviced. While having the recall fixed I found out from a service worker at the dealership that the recall fix is only a change in the key. Once the recall fix was completed I left and a week later had the issue of the car turning off while driving occur. …
March 2016 drove car over local highway to local mall and parked. Returned to car after shopping to head home and car would not start. Appeared to be dead. Called towing company. When they opened the hood to attempt to jump start, noticed horrible burning smell and tow driver pointed out that wires appeared burned and shared that something was very wrong. Towed car to own repair shop. It was found that the fuse box in the engine was completed fried along with the attached wiring affecting the computers, etc. Suggested call to insurance company as would cost thousands of dollars to fix and even then no guarantee it would work properly again. Insurance company declared car total loss and would not pay as it came under the 'mechanical failure' clause. Upon further investigation found that there is a recall 14V755 that displays only when searching by VIN. …
I made a stop at the stop sign on ridge hill dr and hickory hill rd. As I turn left on hickory hill rd my car started to make a loud knocking sound from the motor. So I stayed traveling the same direction on hickory hill rd to the auto zone on the right that's located on hickory hill rd and winchester rd. I purchased ignition coils, wires, and shark plug for my vehicle. I get on hickory hill rd heading to raines rd. I get the red light on hickory hill rd and raines rd I started to smell something burning inside the vehicle. The light turns green as I travel down hickory hill rd I started to see smoke coming from under my two front seats. I made a right on ridge hill dr to get out the vehicle at my relative home. I called a mechanic to do the labor on the vehicle just it was still in the same condition after the new parts. …
For months prior at night my low beams would dim and get brighter periodically. Then as I was driving one morning I began to smell an electrical burning smell. Luckily I was on my way home which was less than a half mile away. When I got home I opened the hood and saw smoke coming from the fuse box. I immediately disconnected the negative battery cable and proceeded to investigate what happened. Upon further investigation the hdm module had failed and was melted right into the fuse block. If I had driven any longer than I did I feel like my car would have certainly caught fire. Luckily I got home safe and prevented any further damage from my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to wait approximately 3 to 7 minutes before the vehicle could be restarted and driven. The vehicle was only able to be driven for short amounts of time before it would stall again without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle's main computer was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000....updated 06/30/16
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Buick Lacrosse, 25% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.